A commitment to running has Corner Brook’s Darren Kaulback in the best shape of his life

Darren Kaulback is planning on running 36.5 kilometres on Christmas Eve. The 36.5 kilometres represents the 365 days he will have ran in succession. - Dave Kearsey

Christmas Eve will mean a lot of scurrying around for a lot of folks.

Some will be looking to purchase a last-minute gift.

Others will be wrapping gifts.

Some will be preparing the turkey for Christmas Day.

Darren Kaulback has other plans for the day.

Kaulback, a member of the Corner Brook Running Club, is going to beat the holiday rush by running 36.5 kilometres on Christmas Eve.

His Christmas Eve run will represent the 365th-straight day the 47-year-old Cole Harbour native has put on his running shoes for a run.

Running every day for a year was part of Kaulback’s commitment to improve his physical and mental health. He had noticed he wasn’t consistent in his running schedule over the past four years so figured it was time to do something about it.

He battled wind, rain and snowstorms along the way.

There were times when he didn’t want to go but he just gave himself a good kick in the arse and out the door he went.

He started out slowly, running five kilometres a day, to ensure he didn’t put himself at risk of injury. He gradually built up his distances as he went and his hectic schedule also included participation in two marathons in 2017 — the BlueNose in Halifax and the Humber Valley Marathon in Corner Brook.

Kaulback moved to Corner Brook four years ago and quickly immersed himself in the local running club.

Running has made his life better.

He’s 30 pounds leaner than he was when he started running six years ago.

He also threw down the cigarettes after being a smoker for 25 years.

“I’m definitely fitter than I’ve ever been,” he said.

Kaulback will spend the holidays in Corner Brook this year.

He plans on having a relaxing break, but Christmas morning he’s going to find his way to the pavement again because his fitness doesn’t get a break for the holidays.